Kristian Garic

Kristian's Quick Hits: Saints approach Jets with caution

by Kristian Garic, kristian@wwl.com,posted Nov 1 2013 9:20AM

4 and 4:

Don't let the Jets record fool you! The Saints aren't getting caught up in the .500 record of the Jets. "This is a good team, they're 3 and 1 at home this season and beat New England a couple of weeks ago," fullback Jed Collins explained. The Saints came back to work on Monday following a double digit win over the Bills as though they had lost the game. "We're starting to measure ourselves only against ourselves and not our opponent. That tells you where we want to go and where we expect to go. Coach Payont made it clear; Sunday was good enough for a win but not good enough for where we want to go," Collins explained. The Saints want to go back to New York in February for another shot at a Super Bowl.

Stat to watch:

You hear coaches and players talk about it all the time, and that's the turnover margin. The Saints have been really good at protecting the ball and forcing turnovers this season. For the year, the Saints are plus 8 in the takeaway/giveaway margin this season. The New York Jets are minus 12. That's eye popping! Plus 8 equal's winning football. Minus 12 usually equals losing football, but the Jets have managed to pull out some of those games because of their defense. Jets rookie QB Geno Smith has been a turnover machine at times this season. It might only be 1 turnover, but that should get Drew Brees that one extra possession he needs to cash in on points.

Injury watch:

Safety Malcolm Jenkins (knee) and G Jahri Evans (hip) were the only two players to miss practice on Thursday. If Evans doesn't play Sunday, rookie Tim Lelito will fill in his place. Safety Kenny Vaccaro (concussion) and WR Marques Colston (knee) were limited. WR Kenny Stills sat out of Wednesday's practice, but returned for every snap of practice Thursday.